Sliding portal and operating device therefore

ABSTRACT

A sliding portal having an electrically actuated operating mechanism mounted thereon.

United States Patent 1 1 Dougherty Dec. 4, 1973 [54] SLIDING PORTAL ANDOPERATING 1,817,909 8/1931 Blodgett 49/358 X DEVICE THEREFORE 1,639,8668/1927 Szuch et a]. 49/358 X 999,119 7/1911 Manin 49/427 Inventor: Earleg y, 3420 71st 3,606,699 9 1971 Robinson 49/358 x Ave., Phoenix, Ariz.85033 N P T N R A P 1C S Filed: Dec. 1971 FORElG A E TS O P L ATION714,959 8/1965 Canada 49/358 [21] Appl. No.: 213,000

Primary Examiner-J. Karl Bell [52] US. Cl 49/358, 49/360, 49/427Attorney-Herbert E. Haynes, Jr. [51] Int. Cl. E05f 11/54, E051" 15/14[58] Field of Search 49/358, 360, 425, v

49/426, 427 [57] ABSTRACT [56] References Cited A sliding portal'havingan electrically actuated operating mechanism mounted thereon.UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,257,756 6/ 966 Mealer 49/358 x 11 Claims, 5Drawing Figures 3 3 31a 14 i 34 58 Z2 Z0 14 PATENTED SHEET 2 BF 2 AIJLLI NV ENTOR 54m TDawwerr 1 SLIDING PORTAL AND OPERATING DEVICE THEREFOREBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This inventionrelates to portal operating mechanisms, and more particularly to asliding gate or door with an electrically actuated operating devicemounted thereon.

2. Description of the Prior Art 7 Sliding portals such as fence gatesand doors which are equipped withoperating mechanisms have heretoforeemployed a complex slide track structure with a stationary operatingdevice positioned adjacent to the sliding portal.

In general, the prior art operator mechanisms are powered by electricmotors and are equipped with a suitable gear box, friction clutch, brakemechanism and the like to drive an output sprocket. The portal isprovided with a chain which is connected to the opposite ends of theportal. The chain is drivingly engaged by the output sprocket of theoperator mechanism so that movement of the sprocket causes the chain andthe portal to which it is connected to slide along its track mechanism.1

Therefore, it may be seen that the mounting structure which supports andhouses the operating mechanism must be adequately secured to the ground.The operator mechanism is normally enclosed within a box like structurewhich is mounted on a concrete pad positioned adjacent to the portal.

Such prior art structures are costly to install by virtue of thematerials employed and the time involved in their installations. I

In view of the foregoing a need exists for a sliding portal structurewith an operator mechanism mounted thereon, which eliminates some of theproblems of the prior art structures.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the invention, a new anduseful sliding portal structure with an operator mechanism mountedthereon is disclosed. i The portal-structure in the form of a fence gateor door is slidingly mounted on a support post which has suitable pulleyand guiding devices mounted thereon. An electrically actuated operatordevice is mounted on one end of the portal structure and is adapted tomove therewith. A chain is connected on its opposite ends to astationary portion of the fence or building which is adjacent to theopening in which the portal is designed to operate. The intermediateportions of the chain are in engagement with the operator mechanism sothat the portal and the operator mechanism travel along the length ofthe chain when the operator is actuated.

Accordingly it is one object of the present invention to provide a newand useful sliding portal operator mechanism.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and usefulsliding portal operator mechanism of simple construction and easyinstallation to reduce costs thereof.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and usefulsliding portal operator mechanism which reduces installation time byeliminating the need for securing the operator mechanism to the ground.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and usefulsliding portal, operator mechanism.

which is mounted on the sliding portal and is movable therewith.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and usefulsliding portal mechanism which employs an electric motor, magneticbrake, reduction gears and output sprocket, all of which are mounted ona pedestal secured to a sliding portal.

Another object of the present invention is to provide anew and usefulcombination of a sliding portal'and operator mechanism therefore.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and usefulcombination of a sliding portal mounted on a support post which carriesan alignment wheel and guiding device which eliminates the need for aslide track assembly, the sliding portal being provided with an operatormechanism mounted thereon which is movable therewith.

The foregoing and other objects of this invention, the various featuresthereof, as well as the invention itself, may be more fully understoodfrom the following description when'read in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a front'elevation of thesliding portal structure having the operator mechanism mounted thereonand incorporating the features of this invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken on 3-3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view partially broken away taken on theline 44 of FIG. 3; and

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view partially broken away taken onthe line 5-5 of FIG. 4.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring more particularly tothe drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a portal operator mechanism indicatedgenerally by the reference numeral 10. The operator 10 is shown asmountedon a sliding portal structure 12.

The sliding portal I2 is illustrated as a fence like installation havinga stationary portion 14 and a sliding gate 16 which is positioned tooperate adjacent to a gate opening 18 provided in the fence.

It should be understood that the sliding portal l2as shown isillustrative only, as the operator 10 may be adapted to function withany similar type of sliding closure such as a garage door, barn door,and the like.

The operator 10 includes an electric motor 20 with a magnetic brakeassembly 22 mounted thereon. The magnetic brake 22 is in turn suitablyconnected to a reduction gear box 24. The gear box 24 is provided with abase 26 which is positioned on and mounted to a pedestal assembly 28. Asbest seen in FIGS. 3 and 4 the gear box base 26 provides a mountingmeans for the gear box 24 itself, from which the motor 20 and magneticbrake 22 are suspended in a cantilever mounting arrangement.

The gear box 24 is provided with an output shaft 30 which is disposed ata angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the motor 20, magneticbrake 22 and the input to the gear box 24.

the line The output shaft 30 of the gear box 24 has a slip clutch 32 onthe periphery of which is mounted an output sprocket 34.

The pedestal assembly 28 as best seen in FIGS. 4 and 5 includes asubstantially horizontally disposed plate 36 upon which the base 26 ofthe gear box 24 is mounted. The plate 36 is provided with a downwardlydepending flange 38 for supporting a pair of idler sprockets 40 and 42as will hereinafter be described in detail.

Thepedestal 28 also includes a downwardly depending L-shaped channel 44welded or otherwise secured to the lower surface of the plate 36. Thechannel 44 is provided with a pair of spaced apart clamps 46 and 48bolted or otherwise secured thereto. The channel 44, clamps 46 and 48provide mounting means for attaching the operator mechanism to theportal structure 12. Thus, the mounting means may be modified orreplaced with any mounting devices which would be suitable for mountingthe operator on a particular type of sliding portal.

The idler sprockets 40 and 42 are rotatably journaled on suitablebearings 49 carried on axle shafts 50 and 52. One end of each of theaxle shafts 50 and 5 2 are fixedly secured to the flange 38 and extendlaterally therefrom. The extending ends of the axle shafts 50 and 52 areeach supportingly mounted in a flange 56 which depends downwardly from ashield 58. The shield 58 is provided with an arcuate upper portion 60which protects the output sprocket34, the idler sprockets 40 and 42 fromentanglement.

As seen best in FIGS. 4 and 5, the idler sprockets 40 and 42 are inalignment with the output sprocket 34, and are spaced apart with respectto each other. A chain 62 is looped over the output sprocket 34 toextend downwardly from each side thereof into engagement with each ofthe idler sprockets 40 and 42 which change the direction of the chain 62so that it extends outwardly and horizontally from each of the idlersprockets 40 and 42..

The chain 62 is connected on its. opposite ends 64 and 66 to thestationary portion 14 of the fence like structure thus securing thechain against movement.

It may now be seen that with the chain 62 secured as hereinbeforedescribed, the only possible movement is for the operator mechanism 10to walk along the length of the chain 62 and carry the sliding portalstructure 12 with it.

The operator mechanism 10 is previously described, provides additionaldesirable features by virtue of the magnetic brake assembly 22 and theslip clutch 32.

When power to the motor is shut off, the magnetic brake 22 is engaged,thus applying a load to the input of the gear box 24. This load plus themechanical advantage of the gear ratio provides an effective lockingmechanism so that the portal 12 cannot be operated when the power isoff.

The slip clutch 32 provides a safety feature. In the event that the.portal 12 strikes any object when it is opening or closing, motion ofthe portal will stop due to slippage of the clutch 32.

As hereinbefore discussed, the operator mechanism 10 may be employedwith any type of sliding portal structure. However, to provide acomplete low-cost easily'installed assembly, a particular type' ofsliding 6 portal structure is desirable.

As seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, the sliding portal 12 includes a main supportpost 68 suitably rigidly fixed in the ground 70. A suspension andalignment pulley 72 is attached to the upper end of the post 68 by aclamp 74. The clamp 74 is provided with a trunion 76 about which thepulley 72 freely rotates.

The pulley 72 is formed with an arcuate groove 78 which fits between anupper guide tube 80 and a lower guide tube 82 of the portal frame 84.The upper and lower tubes 80 and 82 extend along the length of the frame84 and are rigidly held in a parallel relationship by vertical endmembers 86 and 88. Additional suitable braces 90 may be provided atspaced intervals to assure rigidity and alignment of the tubes 80 and82.

The lower ends of the vertical end members 86 and 88 are rigidlyconnected to opposite ends of a bottom rail 92 to form the frame 84 intoa substantially rectangular structure.

A suitable ground engaging wheel 94 is rotatably mounted on each end ofthe frame 84 at the junction points formed where the opposite ends ofthe bottom rail 92 are attached to their respective end members 86 and88. As seen best in FIG. 2, a hook 96 is provided at the lower end ofthe post 68. The hook 96 is positioned to slidingly engage the bottomrail 92 of the frame 84 to prevent lateral deflection thereof.

It will be noted that when the sliding portal 12 is in a substantiallyhalf open or half closed position as shown in FIG. 1, it will bebalanced at an intermediate point of the upper tube 80 by engagementwith the top of the suspension and alignment pulley 72-. At this pointboth of the ground engaging wheels 94 are suspended above the groundsurface 70. The total weight of the portal 12 at this time is thussuspended on the pulley 72 for easy movement of the portal to open orclosed positions. As the portal is moved away from its center position,it will slightly tip until the appropriate wheel 94 engages the groundsurface. It will thus be noted that at all times the suspension andalignment pulley supports at least half of the weight of the portalwhile at the same time maintains both vertical and longitudinalalignment of the portal by engaging its tubes 80 and 86.

While the principles of the invention have now been made clear in anillustrative embodiment, there will be immediately obvious to thoseskilled in the art many modifications of structure, arrangement,proportions, the elements, materials, and components, used in thepractice of the invention and otherwise which are particularly adaptedfor specific environments and operating requirements without departingfrom those principles. The appended claims are therefore intended tocover and embrace any such modifications within the limits only of thetrue spirit and scope ofthe invention.

What I claim is:

1. An operator device for reciprocally moving a laterally sliding portalwhich is operable within an opening formed in a stationary structure,said operator device comprising:

a. a substantially horizontally disposed chain attached on its oppositeends to the stationary structure, said chain disposed in a planeparallel to the opening formed in the stationary structure andpositioned laterally adjacent thereto;

b. a pedestal attached to the sliding portal for movemovement therealongwhen said drive means is actuated.

2. An operator device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said pedestalcomprises:

a. a plate for supporting said drive means; and

b. mounting means attached to said plate for attaching said pedestal tothe sliding portal.

3. An operator device as claimed in claim 2 wherein said mounting meanscomprises:

a. a channel member attached to said plate and depending downwardlytherefrom; and

b. a pair of clamps attached to said channel member for securing saidpedestal to the sliding portal.

4. An operator device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said drive meanscomprises: I

a. a gear box havingan output shaft, said gear box mounted on saidpedestal;

b. a motor coupled to said gear box for providing input power thereto;

c. an output sprocket mounted on the output shaft of said gear box forbeing rotatably driven thereby;

and

d. a pair of idler sprockets rotatably joumaled on said pedestal, .eachof said idler sprockets aligned with said output sprocket andhorizontally spaced apart with respect to each other, said idlersprockets and saidoutput sprocket engagable withsaid chain for traveltherealong resultant from rotary movement of said output sprocket.

5. An operator device as claimed in claim 4 further comprising amagnetic brake mounted between said gear box and said motor forpreventing movement of the operator device when power to said motor isshut off.

6. An operator device as claimed in claim 4 further comprising a slipclutch mounted on the output shaft of said gear box, said slip clutchhaving said output sprocket mounted thereon.

7. An operator device as claimed in claim 4 further comprising a shieldmounted on said pedestal and positioned for preventing entanglement ofsaid output sprocket and said idler sprockets.

8. An operator device for a laterally sliding portal comprising incombination:

a. a stationary structure having an opening formed therein;

b. a portal mounted in a plane parallel to the opening of saidstationary structure and adapted for lateral sliding reciprocal movementin that plane between a closed position across the opening of saidstationary structure and an open position laterally adjacent to theopening formed in said stationary structure;

tached on its opposite ends to said stationary structure and in a planeparallel thereto, said chain mounted laterally adjacent to the openingformed in said stationary structure;

d. a pedestal attached to said portal for movement therewith; and

e. drive means mounted on said pedestal and posia substantiallyhorizontally disposed chain at- V tioned to engagingly contact saidchain for movement therealong when said drive means is actuated.

9. An operator device for asliding portal as claimed in claim 8 whereinsaid drive means comprises:

a. a gear box mounted on said pedestal;

b. a motor coupled to the input of said gear box;

0. an output sprocket mounted on the output shaft of said gear box;

d. a pair of idler sprockets joumaled for rotation on said pedestalassembly, said output sprocket and said idler sprockets each engagingsaid chain for.

moving said po'rtal along the length thereof when said motor isactuated; and

e. a shield mounted on said pedestal for preventing entanglement of saidoutput sprocket, said idler pulley and said chain.

10. An operator device for a sliding portal as claimed in claim 8wherein said drive means comprises:

a. a gear box mounted on said pedestal and having an output shaft;

b. a magnetic brake coupled to the input of said gear box;

c. a motor coupled to the input end. of said magnetic brake, said motoradapted to supply power through said magnetic brake to said gear box toproduce rotary motion of the output shaft thereof;

d. a slip clutch mounted on the output shaft of said gear box;

e. an output sprocket mounted on said slip clutch;

f. a pair of idler sprockets rotatably joumaled on said pedestal and inalignment, with said output sprocket, said idler sprockets and saidoutput sprocket engageably contacting said chain for travel therealongin response to the rotary motion of said output sprocket; and

g. a shield mounted on said pedestal for protecting said output sprocketand said idler sprocket from entanglement.

11. An operator device fora sliding portal as claimed in claim 8 whereinsaid portal comprises:

a. a vertically disposed support post;

b. a suspension and alignment pulley joumaled on the upper end of saidsupport post for rotation about a horizontal axis, said pulley having anarcuate groove formed in the periphery thereof;

. a portal having a pair of guide tubes positioned in the upper endthereof, the guide tubes being horizontally disposed and parallel withrespect to each other, the guide tubes engaging the arcuate groove aboveand below said pulley for suspending said portal therefrom and formaintaining lateral alignment of said portal when rolled on said pulley;

d. a ground engaging wheel joumaled for rotation on each lower comer ofsaid portal; and

e. a hook member positioned on the lower end of said support post andslidingly engaging said portal for preventing lateral deflectionthereof.

1. An operator device for reciprocally moving a laterally sliding portalwhich is operable within an opening formed in a stationary structure,said operator device comprising: a. a substantially horizontallydisposed chain attached on its opposite ends to the stationarystructure, said chain disposed in a plane parallel to the opening formedin the stationary structure and positioned laterally adjacent thereto;b. a pedestal attached to the sliding portal for movement therewith; andc. drive means supportingly mounted on said pedestal and positioned toengagingly contact said chain for movement therealong when said drivemeans is actuated.
 2. An operator device as claimed in claim 1 whereinsaid pedestal comprises: a. a plate for supporting said drive means; andb. mounting means attached to said plate for attaching said pedestal tothe sliding portal.
 3. An operator device as claimed in claim 2 whereinsaid mounting means comprises: a. a channel member attached to saidplate and depending downwardly therefrom; and b. a pair of clampsattached to said channel member for securing said pedestal to thesliding portal.
 4. An operator device as claimed in claim 1 wherein saiddrive means comprises: a. a gear box having an output shaft, said gearbox mounted on said pedestal; b. a motor coupled to said gear box forproviding input power thereto; c. an output sprocket mounted on theoutput shaft of said gear box for being rotatably driven thereby; and d.a pair of idler sprockets rotatably journaled on said pedestal, each ofsaid idler sprockets aligned with said output sprocket and horizontallyspaced apart with respect to each other, said idler sprockets and saidoutput sprocket engagable with said chain for travel therealongresultant from rotary movement of said output sprocket.
 5. An operatordevice as claimed in claim 4 further comprising a magnetic brake mountedbetween said gear box and said motor for preventing movement of theoperator device when power to said motor is shut off.
 6. An operatordevice as claimed in claim 4 further comprising a slip clutch mounted onthe output shaft of said gear box, said slip clutch having said outputsprocket mounted thereon.
 7. An operator device as claimed in claim 4further comprising a shield mounted on said pedestal and positioned forpreventing entanglement of said output sprocket and said idlersprockets.
 8. An operator device for a laterally sliding portalcomprising in combination: a. a stationary structure having an openingformed therein; b. a portal mounted in a plane parallel to the openingof said stationary structure and adapted for lateral sliding reciprocalmovement in that plane between a closed position across the opening ofsaid stationary structure and an open position laterally adjacent to theopening formed in said stationary structure; c. a substantiallyhorizontally disposed chain attached on its opposite ends to saidstationary structure and in a plane parallel thereto, said chain mountedlaterally adjacent to the opening formed in said stationary structure;d. a pedestal attached to said portal for movement Therewith; and e.drive means mounted on said pedestal and positioned to engaginglycontact said chain for movement therealong when said drive means isactuated.
 9. An operator device for a sliding portal as claimed in claim8 wherein said drive means comprises: a. a gear box mounted on saidpedestal; b. a motor coupled to the input of said gear box; c. an outputsprocket mounted on the output shaft of said gear box; d. a pair ofidler sprockets journaled for rotation on said pedestal assembly, saidoutput sprocket and said idler sprockets each engaging said chain formoving said portal along the length thereof when said motor is actuated;and e. a shield mounted on said pedestal for preventing entanglement ofsaid output sprocket, said idler pulley and said chain.
 10. An operatordevice for a sliding portal as claimed in claim 8 wherein said drivemeans comprises: a. a gear box mounted on said pedestal and having anoutput shaft; b. a magnetic brake coupled to the input of said gear box;c. a motor coupled to the input end of said magnetic brake, said motoradapted to supply power through said magnetic brake to said gear box toproduce rotary motion of the output shaft thereof; d. a slip clutchmounted on the output shaft of said gear box; e. an output sprocketmounted on said slip clutch; f. a pair of idler sprockets rotatablyjournaled on said pedestal and in alignment with said output sprocket,said idler sprockets and said output sprocket engageably contacting saidchain for travel therealong in response to the rotary motion of saidoutput sprocket; and g. a shield mounted on said pedestal for protectingsaid output sprocket and said idler sprocket from entanglement.
 11. Anoperator device for a sliding portal as claimed in claim 8 wherein saidportal comprises: a. a vertically disposed support post; b. a suspensionand alignment pulley journaled on the upper end of said support post forrotation about a horizontal axis, said pulley having an arcuate grooveformed in the periphery thereof; c. a portal having a pair of guidetubes positioned in the upper end thereof, the guide tubes beinghorizontally disposed and parallel with respect to each other, the guidetubes engaging the arcuate groove above and below said pulley forsuspending said portal therefrom and for maintaining lateral alignmentof said portal when rolled on said pulley; d. a ground engaging wheeljournaled for rotation on each lower corner of said portal; and e. ahook member positioned on the lower end of said support post andslidingly engaging said portal for preventing lateral deflectionthereof.